With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world.

Dalai Lama

Broadening the definition

The competency of confidence includes a growing sense of personal identity: having an understanding and connection to one’s familial roots, one’s culture and sense of place. Confidence also stems from self-awareness and the acceptance of one’s strengths, challenges, interests and aptitudes. Here, the competency of confidence intersects with ‘executive function’ as it encompasses the ability to self-monitor according to what an individual knows to be true about their strengths and needs. A confident individual has a positive self-image, is flexible, optimistic, resilient and can self-advocate. As we cultivate confidence within our students, we teach the importance of accepting constructive feedback and having a ‘growth mindset’.